Database Objects

Each database consists of database objects.
The basic database object, which is common to all relational database types, is
the table with data. In addition to tables, database can contain other database objects.

Each
database type defines its own set of database objects. For example, databases
with text tables consist of data files (text and CSV) and schema files, which
describe field structure of data files; dBase databases consist of table files,
index files, and files with BLOB data; Oracle databases consist of tables, views,
stored procedures, triggers, and many other types of objects.

Database
Tour has Object Browser tool, which shows database objects' lists on different
pages, separated by objects' type. The Object Browser is located in the left part
of the main window; if it is not shown on the screen, use Tools | Object Browser menu to show it.

To filter objects in
the objects' lists, type a wildcard in the field above the list and press Enter
or click Apply Filter button. In the wildcard, the asterisk character (*) substitutes
for any zero or more characters, and the question mark (?) substitutes for any
one character; ranges of characters enclosed in square brackets ([]) substitute
for all the characters in their ranges; for example, [A-Za-z] substitutes for
any single capitalized or lowercase letter. To cancel filtering, press Escape
(when wildcard field is focused) or click Apply Filter button again. The wildcards
are case sensitive.

The database objects
for folder based databases (dBase, Paradox, text etc.) are read from files of
the database folder; the database objects for server databases are read from the
database metadata, which are located in so called "system tables". System
tables and other system objects of the server databases also can be shown in the
Object Browser, if the corresponding option from its context menu is choosen.

Any
objects' list from the Object Browser can be copied to clipboard, saved to file,
or printed using commands from its context menu.

In
the context menu of the Object Browser, there is an ability to show the database
structure tree, which includes tables, their fields and indexes.

You can work with a single object (default mode) or with a group of objects. To work with a single object, just select it in the object list or choose a specific action from the Object Browser context menu. To work with a group of objects, please right-click the Object Browser and choose Multiple Selection, then select needed objects and choose a specific action from the Object Browser context menu; to return to the signle object mode, choose Multiple Selection menu again or close the database. Note that when working with a single object, you have much more possibilities; in other words, not all things which you can do with a single object can be done with a group of objects.

When
you select a single object in the object list, the object will be opened in the separate
window to the right of the Object Browser. This window will consist of several
pages; for most of database objects, these pages are: General (lists general object's
properties), Script (shows DDL statements for the object); some objects (for example,
tables) may have additional pages. Note: The completeness
and accuracy of the information, shown on the pages, depends on database type.

Notes

Not
all types of database objects are supported by the current Database Tour version.
The set of supported types of database objects depend on the database type. For
example, Database Tour works with tables in dBase, Paradox, FoxPro, MySQL databases,
tables and schemas in text databases, almost all types of objects in Oracle, Interbase,
Firebird databases, several types of objects in SQL Server databases. The list
of supported types of database objects is permanently extended, but there cannot
be guaranteed that once it will be full for all database types.